A U.S. federal court has ruled that a Northern Marianas law which prohibits foreigners from working in certain jobs is unconstitutional.
These jobs include taxi and bus driving and secretarial and accounting work.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Alex R. Munson ruled that the Commonwealth Government failed to establish how prohibiting foreigners from working these jobs supported local government attempts to encourage the hiring of locals or to boost the economy.
The ruling was made in response to a 2005 challenge brought by four Filipino workers who were arrested by local authorities.
They had been working for a tour boat operator on Saipan.
